Western Wintec Saddles

[SunshineRose]

Hi there –

My friend and I were discussing saddles for trail riding. We talked about Western Wintec Saddles. Simple pros of not being as heavy as leather western saddles, easy to keep clean, etc… but we did not know anyone who has owned one or rode in them before. I did a search on here before posting, it was mostly wintec english posts. Any pros / cons to buying this saddle just for trail riding?

Thanks.

[daisyduke]

I have a wintec western saddle that I have used for trail riding. It was light weight, dried fast (when used in the rivers), fit many different sized horses and was generally comfortable. I think you get a lot of bang for your buck.

[gaitedincali]

I found the wintec western to be very uncomfortable.

For a synthetic, I like the Fabtron and Big Horn saddles that have the leather seats, forks and jockeys. Still very lightweight but more comfortable and they hold up better, IME.

[FillyMe]

I have been using a friend’s Abetta synthetic saddle and I think it is fabulous. Am planning to get one myself. Have only heard great things about it.

[brightskyfarm]

I’ve posted several times on this subject that I have used Wintec trail saddles in my pony business, along with Weavers and Abettas.

The Wintec’s fell apart and were ill-fitting on most of the horses where the Weaver still looks nearly new and seems to fit every horse – my students always pick the Abetta for lessons and trail rides. I think the reason being the Abetta has something of a deeper seat.

  *I* like the Weaver. Its also the lightest of all 3. To be fair though, at first, I felt the saddle was *hard* and flat ...until I rode in it a good bit and added a seat saver:D, now it fits like a glove. Like chaps and boots, these things take some breaking in.;)

  Ask at your local stables if you can *try* some of their saddles...its a big investment!

[thathorse]

Not much experience with the western wintecs, and none of it positive (though a lot of good things to say about the wintec English saddles.) Love the Big Horns though- seem to give a good combination of horse fit and rider balance, and a better degree of craftsmanship. Hope that helps!

[candysgirl]

I had one for a while. It was alright. I found the seat comfortable and it fit my husband’s horse reasonable well. He is a big Appendix QH built like a warmblood. The skirts are FAR too long for my Arab so I wound up selling it.

If you do get one, I would plan on replacing the cinch straps. After just one walking trail ride, the holes were extremely stretched.